Family support festive fun day in memory of Kathleen

The family of a woman who championed Dewsbury have given their backing to a festive community celebration.

Relatives of Kathleen Wrigglesworth, who died in September at the age of 71, are sponsoring the Very Merry Mansion Christmas fun day taking place in Crow Nest Park on Saturday.

The event, which takes place from 12.30pm until 4.30pm, will feature carols, craft and dancing as well as a visit from Father Christmas.

Organisers The Friends of Dewsbury Park Mansion, who hope to take over the running of the building after Kirklees Council shut Dewsbury Museum, will also be collecting ideas from visitors about what they would like to see the mansion used for in future.

Mrs Wrigglesworth was a longtime member of Dewsbury Matters, the Friends of Crow Nest Park and the Briestfield History and Community Group.

Her daughter Alison said: “We know that mum would have been straight in there to support the Friends group.

“She loved taking her grandchildren to the park and the museum before she became ill, so we all thought this was the best possible tribute to her.”

Red House Museum in Gomersal, which is due to close on December 21, is also hosting a festive celebration this weekend.

The free event, which will run from noon until 4pm on Sunday, will be its last as a council-run facility.

It will include music, food and activities and the house will be decorated as it would have been in the 1830s, when it was a cloth merchant’s home.

There will also be a free shuttle bus service between the museum and Oakwell Hall in Birstall, which is holding a Christmas craft fair on the same day, in the visitor centre barn.